Can a mini tummy tuck and abdominal etching be done on the same day? What can I do to achieve an hourglass shape? (photos)

Hello @senyorita01, thank you for your question. A mini tummy tuck involves lifting the tissue to plicate the muscle. Let's just say that if there was enough fat and the skin was thick, you could have a light abdominal etching. But if there are stretch marks and thin skin, it is more difficult to see the. The two procedures can be done in the same surgery. Everything depends on the abdominal adipose pannicle, as the abdominal marking leaves some folds of one size and others of another size so that the contour can be seen. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

There are good options for rejuvenating your tummy. The first question is if you have noticeable diastasis, meaning a bulge in-between your six-pack muscles when you do a sit up or plank type of action. Your muscles look flat in your photo so this is likely not a major issue in decision making. A mini-tt is an option, but it looks like the skin above your umbilicus has some laxity and stretch marks which will not be addressed. If you do not mind a little loose skin around your umbilicus, the a mini-tummy tuck is a good option. For maximum skin tightening (assuming no diastasis), I would recommend some liposuction of the abdomen, hips and waist with skin excision and umbilical transposition. This is a tummy tuck type of skin excision excluding the muscle tightening. This can be done with an oral cocktail for sedation and local tumescent anesthesia, so you never go "under". There are no drains with resumption of activity as tolerated. There is an overall lower complication rate and down time compared to a traditional tummy tuck. On caveat is that you may have a vertical scar if your umbilical opening does not stretch down to your horizontal scar below the bikini line; but still, I think it would be a good "trade-off" to rejuvenate your tummy. This is a great option for many women out there . . . An in-person exam by an experienced body plastic surgeon will help guide you in your decision. Thank you, I hope this helps.

Thank you for your question and the photos you provided. From what I see, you could benefit from liposuction, skin tightening and fat grafting to the hips. This combination will help provide you with an hour glass shape. Make sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who feels comfortable with energy-based devices. Good luck!

Yes, based on the photos you submitted you are a great candidate for a mini tummy tuck. I also use VASER lipo 360 on all my tummy tuck procedures and we can etch out your abdominal muscles.

While it is hard to say without an in person consultation, it is generally advised to have the tummytuck performed prior to your abdominal etching. When a tummy tuck is performed, abdominal skin redundancy is eliminated and midline muscle weakness is corrected via muscle plication (muscle tightening with internal sutures). This requires that an abdominal flap be created and redraped compromising lower abdomen blood supply and relying on horizontal perforators to keep the new flap viable while you heal. By limiting the procedure to solely a tummy tuck and waiting a period of 3-6 months for subsequent abdominal etching, you are increasing your chances of having optimal healing.
Following the 3-6 month period, you can return to highlight the natural anatomy of the rectus abdominal muscles, linea alba, and semilunar lines to bring your abdomen to life aka "abdominal etching".
An in person or virtual appointment with a tummytuck specialist will provide you accurate recommendation and pricing.
Respectfully,Brandon Richland, MD

It is impossible to say whether you need a TT or not. Small TT , if needed, may be done together with liposuction of the area. In person or telemedicine consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, with expertise in these procedures, is recommended. Good luck.

To achieve more of an hourglass figure, a full tummy tuck would be recommended. During the surgery, the left and right side of the abdominal muscles can be brought together more, and liposuction can be performed on your sides. Liposuction may be performed for abdominal etching. You appear to have some loose skin that can also be tightened.

Dear senyorita01,
I understand your concern. It is best however that you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine whether you can have several aesthetic surgeries in one session, as this would depend on various factors including but not limited to your general health condition, the type of anesthesia that will be used, and the type of surgeries that will be performed among others.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

I would suggest starting with liposuction of the abdomen and flanks and adding skin tightening to the abdomen with radiofrequency like Renuvion or ThermiTight to help tighten the skin.

Hi, thanks for your question. You are a candidate for Tummy Tuck with abdominal etching fat extraction from the belly and waist. Usually, the two procedures are performed in the same session, to get the most harmonic results, including fat transfer to the butt and hips. Of course, it depends on your goals and your health condition. Consult a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area for a complete exam. Good luck!